You can move your Android data to iPhone using Apple's Move to iOS app or by transferring files manually through iCloud and Google services

The fastest route is Apple's Move to iOS app, which transfers contacts, message history, photos, videos, mail accounts, calendars, and some app data directly from your Android phone to a new iPhone during setup. The process takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. If you already set up your iPhone, you can still move data over, but it requires starting the setup process again or using manual methods through iCloud and Google.

The manual approach takes longer but works if you've already finished setting up your iPhone or prefer moving specific items. You'll use Google services (Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive) and iCloud to pull your information across. Neither method costs money, but Move to iOS only works during the initial iPhone setup, so timing matters.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple's Move to iOS app transfers most of your data automatically during iPhone setup, but only works on a brand-new phone before you finish the initial setup process.
  • If you've already set up your iPhone, you'll need to transfer data manually using Google services and iCloud, which takes longer but works on any iPhone.
  • Photos, videos, contacts, and calendars move reliably through either method, but app data and text messages require extra steps or may not transfer completely.
  • Your Android phone stays intact during the transfer — nothing is deleted from it unless you choose to erase it afterward.

Using Move to iOS for a fresh iPhone setup

Start this process on your Android phone before you turn on your new iPhone. Download the Move to iOS app from the Google Play Store on your Android device. Open it and tap "Continue," then read through the terms and tap "Agree." On the next screen, tap "Find Your Code."

Now pick up your new iPhone and turn it on. Follow the setup screens until you reach "Apps & Data." Tap "Move Data from Android." Your iPhone will display a 6 or 10-digit code. Go back to your Android phone, enter that code into the Move to iOS app, and tap "Trust" when prompted. The two phones will connect and begin transferring your data. Leave both phones plugged in and close to each other — don't use either phone while the transfer runs. This usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of your data.

Move to iOS transfers contacts, calendars, Gmail and other email accounts, text messages, photos and videos, device settings, and some app data. It does not transfer apps themselves — you'll download those separately from the App Store. Some apps may not be available on iOS, and those that are may not have all your settings or data from the Android version.

Manual transfer if your iPhone is already set up

If you've already completed iPhone setup, you can still move your data, but you'll do it piece by piece through Google and Apple services. Start by signing into your Google account on your iPhone. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap "Password & Security," and look for "Manage your Google Account." Sign in with your Gmail address and password.

For contacts, open the Contacts app on your iPhone, tap "Groups" in the top left, and make sure "All Contacts" is selected. Your Google contacts will sync automatically once you've signed into your Google account. For calendars, open Settings, scroll to Calendar, tap Accounts, and add your Google account. Your Google Calendar events will appear in the iPhone Calendar app.

For photos and videos, use Google Photos. Download the Google Photos app from the App Store, sign in with your Google account, and your photos will sync. Alternatively, you can use iCloud Photos — go to Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, then Photos, and turn on "iCloud Photos." Then download your photos from Google Photos to your computer and upload them to iCloud through iCloud.com.

For email, add each email account to your iPhone manually. Go to Settings, tap Mail, then Accounts, then "Add Account." Choose your email provider (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, etc.) and enter your login details. Your past emails will download automatically once the account is added.

What doesn't transfer and why

Apps themselves never transfer between Android and iPhone because they're built for different systems. You'll need to download the iOS versions from the App Store. Some Android apps don't have an iOS version at all — check the App Store before you assume an app is gone. Many apps that exist on both platforms will let you sign in with your existing account, which restores your settings and data.

Text messages and iMessage conversations transfer through Move to iOS, but only if you use the app during setup. If you've already set up your iPhone, text message history stays on your Android phone. Some third-party messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal) can transfer chat history if you follow their specific backup and restore process — check the app's settings for a backup option before you switch phones.

App-specific data like game progress, saved preferences, or custom settings may or may not transfer depending on whether the app developer built that feature in. Apps that use cloud backup (like Evernote or Dropbox) will restore your data automatically when you sign in on iPhone. Apps that only save data locally on your phone will not transfer that data.

Transferring files and documents

If you have files, documents, or other data stored on your Android phone, move them through Google Drive or another cloud service. On your Android phone, open Google Drive, tap the menu (three horizontal lines), and tap "Settings." Make sure backup is turned on. Your files will upload to your Google Drive account automatically.

On your iPhone, download the Google Drive app from the App Store, sign in with the same Google account, and your files will appear. You can also use OneDrive, Dropbox, or any other cloud storage service you already use — just sign in on your iPhone and your files will be there. This method works for photos, videos, documents, spreadsheets, and any other file type.

Handling passwords and two-factor authentication

Passwords stored in Android's password manager don't transfer automatically. On your Android phone, open Chrome, tap the menu (three dots), go to Settings, then "Password Manager," and take screenshots or write down any passwords you need. Alternatively, export your passwords from Chrome: go to passwords.google.com, tap the menu, and look for an export option (this varies by Android version).

On your iPhone, passwords you enter will be saved to iCloud Keychain automatically. You can also use the same password manager you used on Android — most managers like 1Password, Dashlane, and Bitwarden have iPhone apps. For accounts that use two-factor authentication (like Gmail or banking apps), you'll need to set up authentication on your iPhone separately. Some apps let you transfer authenticator codes, but most require you to add your iPhone as a new device in your account security settings.

Erasing your Android phone after the transfer

Once your data is safely on your iPhone, you can erase your Android phone if you're selling it or giving it away. Go to Settings, scroll to "System," tap "Reset Options," and select "Erase All Data (Factory Reset)." You'll be asked to confirm — this erases everything on the phone and returns it to factory settings. The process takes a few minutes.

Before you erase, sign out of your Google account on the Android phone. Go to Settings, tap "Accounts," select your Google account, tap the menu (three dots), and tap "Remove Account." This prevents someone else from accessing your email and data if they get the phone. Do the same for any other accounts (Samsung, Microsoft, etc.) stored on the phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Move to iOS if I've already set up my iPhone?

No, Move to iOS only works during the initial iPhone setup before you finish the welcome screens. If you've already completed setup, you'll need to transfer data manually through Google services and iCloud, or erase your iPhone and start setup again to use Move to iOS.

Will my text messages transfer to iPhone?

Yes, if you use Move to iOS during setup. Text message history transfers automatically. If you've already set up your iPhone, text messages stay on your Android phone and won't transfer. Third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp can transfer chats if you use their built-in backup feature before switching phones.

Do I need to download all my apps again on iPhone?

Yes. Apps don't transfer between Android and iPhone because they're built for different systems. You'll download the iOS versions from the App Store. Many apps let you sign in with your existing account, which restores your settings and data automatically.

What happens to my Android phone after I transfer data?

Your Android phone is not affected by the transfer — all your data stays on it unless you erase it yourself. If you're selling or giving away the phone, you should factory reset it and sign out of your accounts first to protect your privacy.

Can I transfer photos and videos without using Move to iOS?

Yes. Use Google Photos on both phones — your photos sync automatically once you sign in with your Google account. You can also upload photos to Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud and download them on your iPhone. This works whether your iPhone is new or already set up.